At SFCM, we encourage collaboration and conversation, sparking the artistic and intellectual engines that make learning worthwhile and engaging. Discover your talent and feed your mind through our Continuing Education classes!
Registration for Summer 2026 will open on May 18!
A non-refundable $25 registration fee will be charged once per semester.
Instructor: Danielle Thomas
This course is not offered for the Summer 2026 semester.
The Alexander Technique is a method trusted by performers for over a century to enhance artistic expression and support peak performance. It encourages more mindful, efficient movement and is especially valuable for musicians seeking greater ease, presence, and resilience in their craft. This course also weaves in relevant insights from neuroscience, anatomy, motor learning, and music education to offer a comprehensive approach that supports the whole musician.
Students learn to recognize and release patterns of excess tension, increase body awareness, and approach their playing with greater balance and coordination. These skills can improve posture, reduce performance anxiety, and help prevent overuse injuries by fostering a clearer understanding of the body’s limits.
The technique also promotes more efficient breathing which is essential for singers and wind players, but beneficial for all musicians aiming to stay calm, centered, and fluid in performance.
Each class includes guided group movement work and individual hands on time to apply new insights directly to your instrument or voice. No prior experience with the Alexander Technique is required.
All of this will take place in a supportive, fun, and joyful learning environment designed to help you thrive—on stage, in the practice room, and beyond!
Instructor: Christian Paarup
Dates: 6:30-8:30 PM (PT) on Tuesdays from June 2 to August 11, 2026 (no classes on July 7 and 14)
Recital: Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 7:30 PM in Barbro Osher Recital Hall (the Bowes Center)
Location: In-Person at SFCM
Tuition: $550
The Brass Ensemble is open to adult brass players who are eager to play in a chamber music setting with fellow brass players in the community. No audition required. Rehearsals will be held weekly on Tuesday evenings. The ensemble will prepare a program of mixed styles and genres for a public performance. The program will be determined based on enrollment and ability levels. This ensemble is intended to be a relaxed, fun environment with repertoire that will be appropriately challenging for everyone!
Please contact Christian Paarup with any questions at
pcnnehc@fspz.rqhude.mcfs@puraapc
.
Instructor: Christian Paarup
Dates: 6:30-8:30 PM (PT) on Mondays from June to August 10, 2026 (no classes on July 6 and 13)
Recital: Monday, August 10, 2026 at 7:30 PM in Barbro Osher Recital Hall (the Bowes Center)
Location: In-Person at SFCM
Tuition: $550
The Continuing Education Wind Ensemble is open to adult woodwind, brass, and percussion players who are eager to perform in a collaborative large ensemble setting with fellow musicians in the community. No audition required. Rehearsals will be held weekly on Monday evenings. The ensemble will prepare a program of mixed styles and genres for a public performance. Repertoire will be selected based on enrollment and ability levels and may include traditional wind band literature, film music, popular favorites, and contemporary works. This ensemble is intended to be a relaxed, fun, and supportive environment with music that is appropriately challenging and rewarding for all participants.
Please contact Christian Paarup with any questions at
pcnnehc@fspz.rqhude.mcfs@puraapc
.
Instructor: Scott Cmiel
This course is not offered for the Summer 2026 semester.
The SFCM Guitar Community Ensemble consists of guitarists interested in performing ensemble works in a wide range of musical styles from the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern periods. Under the direction of Scott Cmiel, the guitar ensemble will prepare for a performance at the end of the semester.
Each member will be assigned one of four parts and play together in a section with others playing the same part. We want players of all levels to be able to participate so while some members will play difficult music others will have their parts adjusted so they can play beautifully and with an expressive interpretation. Everyone is asked to learn their part before each meeting so during rehearsal we can work on the interpretation of each piece.
There is no need to be a virtuoso - good tone, good memory, and enthusiastic attitude are all that’s required.
If you have any questions about the orchestra please contact Scott Cmiel at fpbgg.pzvry@fspz.rqhude.mcfs@leimc.ttocs
This course is not offered for the Summer 2026 semester.
Explore the rich world of North Indian Classical Music through repertoire based in traditional raga (melody form) and tala (rhythm cycle). The beautiful compositions of Ali Akbar Khan will be the focus of the class, in additional to specialized training exercises to strengthen the basic skills of melody, rhythm, phrasing, and ornamentation.
Open to all instrumentalists with basic playing ability. Students also have the option to rent a sitar or sarode.
Offered in partnership with the Ali Akbar College of Music. Learn more about the Ali Akbar College of Music.
Instructor: Mauricio Rodriguez
This course is not offered for the Summer 2026 semester.
Harmony is often thought of as the 'backbone' of tonal music. In this course, you will learn the principles to create amazing chord progressions and will understand the difference between diatonic, chromatic, and mode mixture harmonies. You will explore how to voice harmonies and apply different harmonic patterns to compose your own music, to improvise, or to write new harmonization of your favorite tunes.
Students are expected to achieve the following goals at the end of this course:
All the materials for the course will be provided by the instructor in the form of PDFs that include lecture materials, practical activities, and assignments. PDFs will be shared over email one week before each session. Students are encouraged to print these materials ahead of time to make annotations and follow in-class activities.
The following book is not required but recommended:
Mauricio Rodriguez Scales, Chords, and Harmonic Progressions (Punctum, 2020)
Instructor: Jacqueline Chew
Dates: 7:00-8:30 PM on Wednesdays from June 3 to July 22, 2026
Recital: Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at 7:30 PM in Barbro Osher Recital Hall (the Bowes Center)
Location: In-person at SFCM
Tuition: $475
Choose your favorite work by Frédéric Chopin! Selection of piece should precede the first class.
Classes 1 - 5 will be devoted to repertoire analysis and practice techniques. Solos should be completed before Class 6
Classes 6 - 7 will focus on performance preparation
Class 8 - Performance on July 22
Limited to 8 pianists.
Instructor: Jacqueline Chew
Dates: 5:30-7:00 PM on Wednesdays from June 3 to July 22, 2026
Recital: Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at 7:30 PM in Barbro Osher Recital Hall (the Bowes Center)
Location: In-Person at SFCM
Tuition: $475
Pianists will work on repertoire of their choice. Selection of piece should precede the first class.
Classes 1–5 will be devoted to repertoire analysis and practice techniques. Solos should be completed by class 6.
Class 6-7 will focus on performance preparation
Class 8 - Performance on July 22
It is helpful if pianists are familiar with major and minor keys, triads and seventh chords, and key signatures. Limited to 6 pianists.
Repertoire level: Bach Two-part Inventions, classical sonatinas, Chopin Waltzes etc.
This course is not offered for the Summer 2026 semester.
The class explores the many performance aspects of vocal music in a supportive and positive atmosphere, with a focus on musical theater. We work on vocal freedom, stagecraft, drama, and many other aspects of this incredible art form. Singers should be prepared to perform each class (memorization preferred) and can choose to work on one or more songs throughout the entire semester. A staff pianist will be available to work with students at all in-person classes. The session culminates in a live performance in one of the recital halls at the end of the semester.
This class is available only to amateurs and semi-professional students with singing experience. At least 3 years of private lessons are required. Enrollment is limited to 10 students.
This course is not offered for the Summer 2026 semester.
The workshop explores the many performance aspects of vocal music in a supportive and positive atmosphere. Singers can bring classical (opera/art song/oratorio), jazz, pop, and gospel/sacred music. We work on vocal freedom, expression, language, technique, stagecraft, drama, text, and many other aspects of this incredible art form. Singers should be prepared to perform each class (memorization preferred) and can choose to work on one or more songs throughout the semester. A staff pianist will be available to work with students at all in-person classes. The session culminates in a live performance in one of the recital halls at the end of the semester.
The class is available only to amateurs and semi-professional students with singing experience. At least 3 years of private lessons are required. Enrollment is limited to 10 students.
